National Artists for Visual Arts | DM Circuit Art

Order of National Artists

Visual Arts & Painting Roster — DM Circuit Art Catalogue

Abdulmari Asia Imao

2006
Sculpture & Painting

Integrated indigenous Islamic motifs (ukkil, sarimanok, naga) into Philippine contemporary fine art.

Key Works: Sarimanok series, Islamic Calligraphy sculptures

Ang Kiukok

2001
Painting

Expressionist-Cubist style featuring distinct imagery of angst, violent conflict, and religious hope.

Key Works: Fishermen, Thinking Man, Seated Figure

Arturo R. Luz

1997
Painting & Sculpture

Celebrated for geometric abstraction, extreme minimalism, and precise linear spatial balance.

Key Works: Candle Vendors, Bagong Taon, Performers

Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera

2006
Painting & Printmaking

Master of contemporary figurative art focusing on identity, displacement, and social realism.

Key Works: Sabel series, Tres Marias, Yellow Confetti

Carlos “Botong” V. Francisco

1973
Painting (Mural)

Single-handedly revived the art of the mural; founding member of the historic Triumvirate.

Key Works: First Mass at Limasawa, The Martyrdom of Rizal

Cesar F. Legaspi

1990
Painting

Pioneer Neo-Realist who indigenized Cubism and depicted raw social themes and human labor.

Key Works: Gadgets, Tree Planting, Idols of the Third Eye

Federico Aguilar Alcuaz

2009
Painting & Tapestry

Renowned for gestural abstract expressionism, complex studio interiors, still lifes, and oil portraits.

Key Works: Reveries of Love, Barcelona series

Fernando C. Amorsolo

1972
Painting

Pioneered backlighting to capture tropical light; honored as the “Grand Old Man of Philippine Art”.

Key Works: Planting Rice, Dalagang Bukid, The Mestiza

Francisco V. Coching

2014
Graphic Arts & Illustration

Known as the “Dean of Filipino Illustrators”; master of sequential art and graphic novels.

Key Works: Pedro Penduko, Lapu-Lapu, El Indio

Guillermo E. Tolentino

1973
Sculpture

Master of classical academic sculpture and iconic Philippine public national monuments.

Key Works: UP Oblation, Bonifacio Monument

Hernando R. Ocampo

1991
Painting

Self-taught modernist recognized for interlocking organic shapes and vivid color harmonies.

Key Works: Genesis (CCP Main Curtain), Ina ng Balon

Imelda Cajipe-Endaya

2026
Mixed Media & Printmaking

Pioneering feminist artist & printmaker; first female National Artist for Visual Arts; KASIBULAN co-founder.

Key Works: Baitang sa Kaunlaran, Filipina: Identity and Resistance

J. Elizalde Navarro

1999
Painting & Mixed Media

Explored figurative abstraction, vibrant color saturation, printmaking, and assemblage work.

Key Works: I’m Sorry Jesus, I Can’t Attend His Mass

Jose T. Joya

2003
Painting & Multimedia

Pioneer of Abstract Expressionism in the Philippines, famous for dynamic gestural impasto technique.

Key Works: Granadean Arabesque, Space Transfiguration

Lauro “Larry” Z. Alcala

2018
Cartoons & Graphic Arts

Visual satire capturing everyday Filipino slice-of-life humor across thousands of illustrations.

Key Works: Slice of Life, Asiong Aksaya, Kalabog en Bosquecillo

Napoleon V. Abueva

1976
Sculpture

Honored as the “Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture”; pioneered dynamic, modern forms in hardwood and stone.

Key Works: Kaganapan, Transfiguration, Nine Muses

Nunelucio “Nune” Alvarado

2026
Painting & Social Realism

Negrense Social Realism master highlighting the struggles, dignity, and resilience of sugarcane workers (sakadas).

Key Works: Babaye sa Duta, Sakada series, Kaluoy

Victorio C. Edades

1976
Painting

Recognized as the “Father of Modern Philippine Painting”; founder and leader of the Thirteen Moderns.

Key Works: The Builders, The Sketch, The Wrestlers

Vicente S. Manansala

1981
Painting

Pioneer of Transparent Cubism, bridging urban and rural Philippine life with spiritual warmth.

Key Works: Jeepneys, Bayanihan, Madonna of the Slums
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